If all your looking to do is lower an inch or less, why not use the Tein S Tech springs with stock struts? Ride and handling stay close to stock, but you get the lowered look. Minimal price, too. This setup seems to be pretty well recieved on the forums.

 

According to the Ground Control website they've teamed up with Eibach and all these kits come with Eibach springs in them...........The entire kit is gaurenteed for life.

 

I'd like having the option of going higher or lower just buy adjusting the kit on all 4 corners. This kit isnt much more than just buying springs, only about $150 give or take.

 

I've had mine for about 8000 miles and a 1.5" drop. I love'em to death.

 

I had Konis/GC on my old S2000, and they totally transformed the car's handling! One added benefit of picking your spring rates is the ability to mix and match front and rear. Make the wrong decision? You can flip-flop springs front to rear, and try other rate springs for $119/pr. I went w/ 440F/380R to calm down the rear end and better balance the handling near the limits.

The ride was quite a bit firmer (esp. over speed bumps), but still tolerable on the street. It was amazing on the track, and I had no complaints about it at all. I'd def. buy this setup again if I was to get another S2000. I was running the shocks @ full soft.

 

I had Koni/Comptech on my old S2000 then I tried the Groundcontrols on my old M3. The ride was nice, but I kept blowing those Koni shocks. I went through one shock in about 6,000 miles on the S2000 and I went through all 4 corners on the M3 in less than a year.

For street performance they were great, but I am not a fan of Koni quality - as long as they continue to sell rebuilt shocks.

 

GC has let you choose spring rates for front and rear since as long as I can remember. I have no reason to think they didn't do the same when the S2K kit was released. I know numerous people running GC kit w/ heavy ass spring rates and everyone likes them a lot. I would certainly not pay more for the comptech setup.

Poindexter, I've blown numerous koni yellows in the past as well.. I don't think your GC setup was the cause. I was running stiff Hor racing springs (still within spec), and I blew 4 shocks at 3 different corners.. so maybe they just aren't strong

 

When the guy that sold them to me (and handles my warranty for them) eventually states "I'm sick of handling all these Koni/GC claims - I'm going to stop carrying them" you know it is bad. The main problem is that Koni replaces blown shocks with rebuilt shocks. I only said I replaced all four corners on the M3 - I never said how many times the rear passenger side blew (3x) and that the driver's side front blew twice!

I'm so thrilled with the stock suspension on my Cayman right now, that I'm not sure I will go with anykind of aftermarket setup, but if I do I'm going to start with the Bilstein PSS9's/no PASM.

 

I am not sure what the "best" rates are for our cars with GC's but there has to be a thread about it. If you want to choose a baseline, look at stock rates and increase by 50~100 lbs to compensate for ~1" of lowering. Yes, you can swap back and front. More lbs in front = more understeer, more lbs in the back = more oversteer. You can use the Tein S-Tech rates from their website as a good average spec.

As far as Koni's blowing, maybe there isn't enough travel if you lower the car too much and then hit the bump stops. GC sells top hats that I must recommend for everyone. They give you an about extra inch of travel. I've had those for B-series cars but not sure if they work for the S.

 

Were you guys that were blowing shocks "slammed"? or using a high 500lb + linear spring? Most shocks have a limit of lowering/spring rate advised for them.
Also, feel free to talk with the techs at GC as they are very helpful in picking spring rates.